by Various
"You'll be wealthy some day, Dick," said his eldest sister, Gertie.
"How?" he asked.
"Why, you have $100 and a piece of property estimated to be worth $250,and which is likely to increase in value as you grow older."
"Suppose it's worth $500 when I get to be twenty-one, that won't makeme wealthy, even with the $100 and the interest on top of it."
"No, but it'll start you on the road to wealth."
"Maybe it will, and maybe it won't," laughed Dick. "You may becomewealthy long before I get within hailing distance of big money."
"Nonsense! I haven't got a cent."
"I know. You girls never have a cent left out of your princely wages,for you spend it all on glad rags in the hope of capturing a husbandwho will consider it an honor to pay all your bills, furnish you with afine house, an auto to ride about in, and other et ceteras too numerousto mention."
"Aren't you the horrid boy to say such a thing!"
"Isn't it the truth?"
"Indeed, it isn't. I never expect to get married."
"You don't? Oh, come now, don't get off such whoppers or the bogie manwill get you when you aren't looking."
"One must have a beau first, and you know I haven't acquired such aluxury yet."
"What's the matter with the gent in the tall dicer and lavender kidswho calls on you regularly every week, and takes you out to the theaterand entertainments? Mr. Clarence Peck. He's clerk in a broker's office,with prospects of advancement, and expectations from two maiden aunts."
His sister blushed vividly, and looked a bit confused.
"Mr. Peck is merely a friend," she said.
"Well, he thinks a lot of you."
"How do you know?" said his sister, with another blush.
"He didn't tell me so, I admit, but actions speak louder even than hislavender kids."
"I wish you wouldn't make fun of his gloves. I think they are theproper thing for him to wear."
Dick chuckled.
"He seems to be rather bashful, though. If I visited a girl as long ashe has been coming here to see you, I would propose and have it overwith."
"Don't be too sure that you would. Mr. Peck is not bashful; he is onlya little diffident. He is very clever, but I sometimes fear that helets his light shine under a bushel."
"What has a bushel got to do with him? It takes two pecks to make one,and he's only one Peck."
"Aren't you smart! I think we'd better change the subject."
"Sure I'm smart. I've proved that by helping to catch three crooksand send them to State prison. I think it's about time I shook theseknickerbockers and got into trousers. I'm getting tired of being takenfor a twelve-year-old kid."
"Why, the idea! You look real cute in knee pants. Mr. Peck says----"
"Cut out what Mr. Half Bushel says. I'm the party to be pleased. I'vegot a girl now, so it's time----"
"A girl!" exclaimed his sister, evidently astonished.
"Why not? Got any objection?" asked Dick aggressively.
"When did this happen? Who is she?"
"She's an heiress. You don't suppose I would consider any girl whohadn't prospects, do you?" grinned Dick.
"Tell me her name," asked his sister, with an air of inquisitiveinterest.
"Sorry, but I couldn't think of giving away such a valuable secret."
"Oh, I know--I know!" cried his sister, clapping her hands. "If youaren't the sly rogue! It's Madge Mason, the girl you've been talking somuch about since you got home from your visit to her parents' home."
"Well, keep it dark, sis," said Dick, with a flush.
"Oh, I couldn't think of it. I must tell Nell and May and mother."
"You tell them and I'll get square with you. The next time Mr. Peckcalls I'll tell him how much you're stuck on him, and then maybe he'llget up spunk enough to propose to you."
"You wouldn't dare, Richard Darling!" cried his sister, with a burningface.
"I wouldn't? Well, say, you don't know me! It's up to you. Keep mumabout Miss Mason and I'll be good; otherwise--you know what'll happen."
Then Dick walked out of the room, satisfied that his sister would be asmute as a mop stick.
CHAPTER VIII.--Dick Has His Fortune Told.
We will pass over two years, during which Dick ceased to be an officeboy and became one of the most gentlemanly clerks in Mr. Bacon'sstore. His knickerbockers disappeared the day after the conversation hehad with his sister, as detailed in the previous chapter, and he madehis appearance at the store in a new suit of clothes, which so changedhim that the boss and clerks hardly recognized him at first. The changedeveloped a new line of witticism on the part of his young friends, butDick took the bull by the horns in so energetic a way that the funnylads shut up in short order.
Dick now felt that he was a real man, except in years, and during theensuing two years he deported himself along that line, and was made aclerk before the merchant had expected to raise him to that dignity;but the fact was when the knickerbockers went to the scrap heap Mr.Bacon decided that he looked too old to continue as his office boy,hence his promotion. During these two years Dick visited the Masonsseveral times--spending the Christmas holidays with them twice, theEaster week-end once, and two weeks in each summer.
Thanksgiving was now approaching and he had received an invitationto come down and spend the interval between Wednesday afternoon tillMonday morning, and Mr. Bacon very graciously gave him permission to doso. Dick was very glad to visit the Masons, not alone because he alwaysreceived a royal welcome from the family as a whole, but because MadgeMason was now "sweet sixteen," and growing more charming every day.The fact that Madge was heiress to all her parents' worldly goods hadreally no bearing on his feelings toward the pretty miss. Of course itwas nice to think that her future was provided for, but Dick liked herfor herself alone, just as she entertained the same feelings towardhim. Their friendship was firmly established, and both were never sohappy as when together. Perhaps the fact that they were together soseldom, and then only for a short time, enhanced the feeling each felttoward the other. Presumedly the girl's father and mother noticed thegrowing interest that existed between their daughter and the youngNew York clerk. Certainly they put no obstacles in the young people'sway, which may be taken as evidence that they approved of it. Madge'saunt had a clearer insight into the matter than any one else, becausethe girl made a confidante of her. The Mason automobile was at therailroad station in Carlin waiting for Dick, who had written that hewould come by express which left Jersey City at five-thirty. In theauto, besides the gardener, who acted as chauffeur, sat Miss Madge, ina warm gown trimmed with fur, while her pretty head was adorned with abewitching fur cap, tilted on one side. The train came in on time andDick jumped off with other passengers, carrying a small suit-case inhis hand. Madge saw him at once and waved her handkerchief at him. Dicksaw the signal, recognized the girl, and lost no time in reaching theautomobile.
"This is quite an honor, Miss Madge," said Dick, raising his derby andstepping in beside his charmer.
"Really, do you think so?" replied Madge, as the gardener started off.
"I certainly do. I never dreamed I should have so charming a companionon my ride to the house," he replied gallantly.
"Dear me, you say that awfully nice," returned the girl blushingly."How are your mother and sisters?"
Dick assured her that they were quite well, and then asked after Mr.and Mrs. Mason and Miss Woods, the aunt.
"They're very well, indeed," said Madge.
"And how is Cleopatra?" asked Dick, who felt that so important a memberof the family as Madge's pet cat must not be overlooked lest he incurthe young lady's displeasure.
"Oh, Cleo is all right. She is really getting cuter every day."
"Can she stand on her head yet?" chuckled Dick.
"Of course not," said Madge. "Who ever heard of cats standing on theirheads?"
Dick laughed and the conversation changed to another subject, duringwhich they were whirled over the th
ree miles of road and landed at thefront door of the country house where Mr. Mason was on hand to welcomeDick. Next morning after breakfast Dick took a stroll over to hisproperty, more for the exercise of walking than anything else, for hehad viewed his five-acre plot often enough to know its layout by heart;besides, the month of November was a poor time to look at country land,which was wearing a wintry aspect. A lot of young trees had startedgrowing over a part of his land, and at the edge of this section he wassurprised to see a small wooden hut and round it two good-sized tents.It looked as if a family of squatters had camped upon his property. Hesaw a couple of small children playing around the door of the hut, andfrom its stovepipe smoke was floating upward.
"I like their nerve taking possession of my place," he thought, as heleaned over the fence and looked.
A young woman with a bright-colored shawl over her head and shoulderscame out of the hut with a tin pail in her hand and went in thedirection of a spring. Then Dick noticed a covered wagon of the prairieschooner kind, and beside it another rude, oblong building. He wonderedthat Mr. Mason hadn't told him about these free tenants, who hadapparently taken root there for the winter at least. Curious to findout something about them, he got over the fence and walked toward thecamp. A rough-looking man came out of one of the tents, with a pipe inhis mouth, and looked at him. Dick walked up to him and asked him whathe and the rest of the bunch were doing there.
"We are gypsies," replied the man, who was dark skinned and sported ablack mustache. "We are camping here till next spring."
"Got permission to stay from the owner?" asked Dick.
A peculiar smile flickered about the man's mouth.
"We never ask permission. Why should we? The earth was made for all. Weare only occupying a small part of it for the time being when the landis of no use to anybody."
"Then you have settled here as a sort of winter quarters. During therest of the year you travel about the country, eh?"
The man nodded.
"We travel from place to place, staying as long as we choose. You donot look like a country boy. You have come here from some town or city."
"That's right. I belong in New York. It happens, however, that I ownthis piece of property."
"You do?" said the man, with an accent on the "you," looking Dick overcuriously.
"Yes."
"You object to our being here, perhaps?" said the gypsy, with a frown.
"On, no, as long as you intend to start off in the spring."
"What is your name?"
"Richard Darling. What's yours?"
"Hugh Blacklock."
"You're the boss of this outfit, I suppose?"
The gypsy shook his head.
"Miriam is the head of our branch. There are seven of us, besides thechildren."
"Miriam!" said Dick. "That's a woman's name."
The man nodded.
"What's her other name?"
"That is the name she goes by. Perhaps you would like to see her? Ifyou cross her palm with a piece of silver she will tell your fortune."
"I suppose that's the way you live--by telling fortunes?"
"That and selling fancywork. Come, I will introduce you to Miriam."
As Dick was curious to see the woman who was at the head of this smalltribe of gypsies, he followed his conductor, and was taken into thehut. Miriam proved to be a woman of middle age, whose features werenot unpleasant. She had raven black hair streaming down her back, andan eye as dark as a sloe. Her attire was shabby, with the exceptionof a bright-colored shawl worn carelessly across her shoulders. Theman spoke to her in a strange tongue, and she regarded Dick with someattention.
"You are a brave-looking boy," she said. "Shall I tell your fortune?Come, cross my hand with silver, and I will see what the future holdsin store for you."
Dick wasn't particularly curious about his future, and he ratherdoubted the ability of the woman to foretell anything of importance.However, he concluded to help the tribe along to the extent of a silverquarter, so he pulled the coin out and placed it in her hand.
"Your left hand," she said.
Dick presented it. She pored over the lines and mounds, which palmistryteaches mean so much, for a minute or more before speaking again.
"You were born of parents in moderate circumstances, and you are theyoungest of four children," she said.
"That's hitting the mark pretty close," he thought. "I wonder how shecan get that out of my hand?"
"One of your parents is dead," she continued, "and it seems to be yourfather."
"Another good guess," thought Dick.
"You had to go to work young, about your fourteenth year."
"That's right," admitted the boy. "Maybe you can tell me what businessI am engaged in?"
"It is something genteel--a clerk in a store or office. You have beenin danger twice within the last three years from evil-disposed persons.You are fated to make many friends, some of whom will help you forwardin life, but your success will make enemies--you have already madethree, two of whom have had something to do with the peril in whichyou have been placed. Since then life has run smoother with you, butbeware, there is trouble hanging over you now."
"Trouble!" exclaimed Dick. "I see none ahead."
"Trouble comes when we are not looking for it."
"Well, give me a pointer on it. You ought to be able to tip me off howto get out of it."
"Beware of a tall, dark man and a short, light woman."
"That's rather indefinite."
"There is a connection between them and your business."
"My business, eh? This is getting interesting."
The woman frowned and changed the subject.
"You have a sweetheart and you are closer to her now than usual. She isthe bright star of your life--whom you will marry. Three children willbless your marriage, and you will pass a large part of your life in thecountry."
"If you see all that in my hand, it is quite clear that the trouble yousay is hanging over me now will not lay me out."
"You will always triumph over your enemies, but they will do you muchharm. Fortune will soon smile on you. You are about to come intopossession of riches."
"Where am I going to get it? I have no such expectation."
"Good luck, like trouble, often comes upon us unaware. At this momentyou are close to a fortune in money."
"The dickens I am! I'm afraid you're making a mistake there."
"It is so written in your hand and will come to pass."
She dropped Dick's hand and the seance was over.
"Your hand is, on the whole, a lucky one," she said. "The fates smiledon you at your birth. Favorable planets were in happy aspect. Saturnalone casts its malignant influence across your life's path, but willnot prevail."
With a sweep of her arm toward the door, Dick understood that he wasdismissed, and he walked back to the house somewhat impressed by whathe had learned.
CHAPTER IX.--In the Mirror.
When Dick reached the house, he found Madge waiting for him.
"Where have you been?" she asked.
"I walked down the road as far as my property. Did you know there weregypsies camped on it?"
"Why, no; are there?"
"Yes. They have two tents, a hut, a wagon, and a sort of rough barn fortheir horses."
"They have no right to camp there. They are trespassing."
"Oh, well, they won't harm the property, and they'll go away in thespring."
"How do you know? Were you speaking to them?"
"I talked with one of the men, and with the woman who heads the tribe.Her name is Miriam, and she told my fortune."
"Really?" cried the girl, with a smile. "What did she tell you?"
"Many things that I know to be true, and some things that I hope willturn out true."
"Then your fortune was a good one?"
"On the whole, it was. You'd better call on her and have your fortunetold."
"Perhaps I will, if aunty will go with me. Come, now,
tell me what shetold you."
Dick repeated as near as he could remember all that the gypsy womanhad read in his hand, with the exception of that part referring to hissweetheart.
"I suppose she said you'd marry the girl of your choice and livehappily ever afterward," laughed Madge slyly.
"Sure; they always put that in to make you feel good."
"So she said you were going to come into a fortune soon? Isn't thatnice?"
"It's too nice to be true."
"It might happen."
"I haven't a rich relative in the world whose death would put me onEasy street."
"Then you'll get the money some other way."
"I don't know of any other way unless I robbed a bank, and I'm notlikely to do that."